African violet plant named Antigua

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Antigua characterized by its small, single violet-shaped, blue flowers with white, slightly frilled edges; strong, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, oval leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-dropping flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of African violet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Antigua.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selection process by the designation H 5/1/85 and is a product of a planned breeding program. The new cultivar was originated from a cross made by me in the controlled breeding program in Haffen, Federal Republic of Germany. The female, or seed parent was a cultivar designated 450/84. The male, or pollen parent was a cultivar designated 643/2.

Antigua was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen, West Germany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings, as performed by me at Haffen, West Germany, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Antigua has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. The following observations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grown in Haffen, West Germany and Nashville, Tenn. under greenhouse conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of Antigua, which in combination distinguish this African violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

(1) Strong, upright flower stems curving slightly toward the center.

(2) Small, single blue flowers with slightly frilled white edge.

(3) Profuse flowering.

(4) Each plant carries 8-11 and more upright flower stems each of which carries 7-10 and more flowers.

(5) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers.

(6) Vigorous grower.

(7) Plant saleable 10 to 11 weeks after potting.

(8) Seed capsules push slightly through.

(9) Medium green, oval leaves.

(10) After maturity the flowers dry off, and remain on the peduncle without becoming infected by botrytis.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimen plant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are as true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken under natural sunlight conditions at approximately 12 a.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat., c.v. Antigua.

Parentage:

Male parent.--643/2.

Female parent.--450/84.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristics through successive propagations by leaf cuttings.

Plant: From 8 cm to 10 cm tall when grown in pots, and approximately 21-26 cm in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves:

General form.--Oval.

Diameter.--50-55 mm wide and 55-60 mm long.

Texture.--Leatherlike.

Aspect.--Hairy, slightly shiny.

Veins.--Upperside: visible; underside: well pronounced, light green, shiny. On young leaves purplish red.

Color (upperside).--Yellow-Green Group 147 A.

Color (underside).--Greyed-Purple Group A to B and Greyed-Green Group 194 C.

Petiole.--Strong upright, purplish red, hairy.

Flowers:

Buds.--Round-shaped, 7-8 mm just before opening.

Sepals.--Five (5). Color: Brownish green.

Calyx.--Shape: Funnel-shaped. Aspect: Spear-shaped, hairy.

Peduncle.--Character: Strong upright, hairy. Color: Brownish green.

Individual flowers:

Size.--30-35 mm.

Shape.--Single violet-shaped with slightly frilled edges.

Color (upperside).--Violet-Blue Group 93 B to C with white edges. Under cooler temperatures and more intensive lighting, the blue color tends to intensify.

Color (underside).--Violet-Blue Group 91 A to B.

Borne.--Each flower stem carries 7-10 and more flowers on strong, upright peduncle that are free standing above the leaves, thereby forming a compact bouquet.

Flowering habit.--Flowers 10-11 weeks after potting.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Two (2). Anthers: 2 composed of 4 anther cells, seed capsule pushes slightly through.

Filaments.--Yellowish green with purplish blue on edges, 3-4 mm long.

Pollen color.--Yellow Group 7 A.

Styles.--6-7 mm long, purplish blue, base of ovary light green and hairy.

Roots: Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownish when older.

Disease resistance: Good.

General observations: Antigua is an attractive, vigorous grower with medium green, oval leaves. A tight bouquet of small, single, violet-shaped flowers free standing above the leaves develops after approximately 10-11 weeks. Each of the 8-11 and more strong flower stems carries 7-10 and more blue flowers with white, slightly frilled edges. The flowers are long-lasting and non-dropping and the seed capsules push slightly through. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Antigua, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by its small, single violet-shaped, blue flowers with white, slightly frilled edges; strong, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, oval leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-dropping flowers. 